🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <491@bnr-fos.UUCP> schow%BNR.CA.bitnet@relay.cs.net (Stanley Chow) writes:
>There are, however, valid uses for object translators. For example, Hunter
>systems will translate MS-DOS programs to run on Unix boxes. From what I
>understand, this is done for support cost reasons! It is cheaper for a
>software house to support one version for MS-DOS than it is to support
>multiple versions for different systems. This is strictly a support cost
>vs. translation cost trade-off. I have not heard performance or optimization
>as a sales pitch for Hunter systems. Anyone with better knowledge?
>  (Stuff omitted)
> It would also be interesting to look at the complexity of an "Optimizing
>Translator". Any OT would first have to discover the real intent of the
>program, then optimize it for the new architecture. This is a much harder
>problem than an optimizing compiler where the source code is available.
>Consider all the work that has gone into language design to make it easy
>for compilers to optimize!
>
>Basically, the object code (for any architecture) is a very poor medium
>for communicating algorithm or program intent. Most emulators have trouble
>just faithfully micmacing the target system! Optimizing translators sound
>very hard to me. :-)
>
>Stanley Chow        BitNet:  schow@BNR.CA
>BNR		    UUCP:    ..!psuvax1!BNR.CA.bitnet!schow
>(613) 763-2831		     ..!utgpu!bnr-vpa!bnr-fos!schow%bnr-public

Three papers on emulation technology were presented at COMPCON this
year.  They are:

   The XDOS Binary Code Conversion System, John Banning, Hunter Systems Inc.
   The Design and Development of a Software Emulator, Henry Nash,
	Insignia Solutions Inc.
   Logical Compute Services - An Architecture Extensible Application
	Environment, Luther Johnson, Phoenix Technologies, Ltd.

I can attest that all of the products of these companies 'work' at
some level of performance.  Discussion following the presentation of
the papers was lively.

Although approaches differ, these are arguably "Optimizing
Translators".  Executable code images are the input to each of them.

Mr. Johnson participates in the OSF SIG on ANDF - Architecture
Neutal Distribution Format - in a technical leadership capacity.
OSF recently posted a request for technology in this area.  You
might profitably pursue this discussion with the OSF SIG on the
ANDF.